1. FC Köln Faces Defensive Setbacks with Key Injuries

omidbasir- Following the long-term absence of former captain Tim Hübers, newly promoted Bundesliga team 1. FC Köln has now confirmed the loss of central defensive stalwart Joël Schmied. An MRI conducted on Sunday revealed that Schmied has sustained a muscle tear, which is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. He has been a crucial part of Köln’s defense, participating in all 11 league matches this season and starting in nine of them.

Schmied’s injury marks the fourth time this season that a center-back has been unable to contribute to die Geißböcke. Both Hübers and Luca Kilian may not play for the remainder of the current campaign. Additionally, summer signing Rav van den Berg has struggled with a shoulder injury and has not been featured since matchday three.

On a positive note, it appears that Köln’s head coach Lukas Kwasniok may soon be able to rely on van den Berg regularly again. The former Middlesbrough player recently represented the Dutch U21 team and has resumed training with his German club on a semi-regular basis.

Furthermore, former Germany U21 captain Eric Martel, primarily a defensive midfielder, has been performing admirably as a makeshift defender. Veteran Dominique Heintz and fellow summer acquisition Cenk Özkacar, currently on loan from Valencia and with limited playing time, are also available to provide support in the defensive lineup.